The No. 14 Gators women's tennis team could open a kennel the way it's been taming Bulldogs in Southeastern Conference play.
UF (10-6, 4-2 SEC) bounced back from its 4-3 loss to Mississippi on Friday by dominating Mississippi State 6-1 on Sunday at Linder Stadium.
The weekend came after a much-needed 12-day rest.
"We looked very rusty, I thought, particularly at (Court) 1 doubles at Ole Miss," UF coach Roland Thornqvist said. "We were certainly disappointed leaving there, because it sets us back in the SEC rankings, but I was proud to see how we responded the next day here, playing at home. I thought we did a great job. We were sharp in doubles."
The Gators won all three doubles matches to take the doubles point. Marrit Boonstra and Jo Mather claimed their eighth consecutive win as a tandem. Boonstra was previously paired with Megan Alexander before Alexander went out for the season with an undisclosed injury.
"In the beginning, it was kind of getting used to each other, but right now we feel really comfortable," Boonstra said of playing with Mather.
Mather, who clinched the win in singles with a 6-4, 6-0 score over Radka Ferancova, said she loves playing with Boonstra, who, at No. 5 in the country, is 15-0 in dual-match singles play.
"She's improved a lot confidence-wise, certainly at a completely different level than before, and Marrit's strength has always been she's a very cerebral player," Thornqvist said. "She puts the balls in spots that are very uncomfortable for the opposing player."
The junior used this skill Sunday, easily toppling Olesya Tsigvintseva 6-1, 6-0 on Court 1. She said she still has room to improve, but agreed with Thornqvist that her confidence has definitely elevated her play.
Thornqvist praised her leadership and physical ability.
"She moves like a cat. That's a tremendous advantage," he said.
The UF faithful recognize that. Cheers of "Boons!" often echo throughout the stadium when the native of the Netherlands places shots in difficult-to-return areas.
"I love playing in front of this crowd," she said. "It's so much more fun to play at home than away."
With Alexander out, Mather has assumed the No. 3 position. She said she's up for the challenge, and it's been apparent, considering her play against Georgia and Tennessee, which earned her SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
She took winning the award in stride.
"(Assistant coach) Dave (Balogh) wanted my signature," she said. "That was good enough for me."
MEN BEAT MISSISSIPPI STATE: After dropping its first home dual match on Friday against No. 2 Mississippi, the UF men's tennis team traveled to Starkville, Miss., to crush Mississippi State 6-1.
Freshmen Joey Burkhardt and Carlos Cueto turned in dominant performances. Burkhardt downed Antonio Lastre 6-1, 6-1. Cueto, the No. 24-ranked singles player, clinched the No. 7 Gators' victory by beating Ryan Farlow 6-4, 6-1 on Court 1.
UF (12-6, 3-3 SEC) will return home to play LSU at 3 on Friday afternoon.
